The latest offering by the Swiss combo Sonar (two guitarists,
a bassist and a drummer) is fittingly titled, as it basically comprises an
ocean of little riffs and rhythmic models that come and go in a repetitive
fashion, creating grooves with melodic appeal. These little musical phrases hit
you like waves hit the shore; and slowly evolve just as nature and weather do,
with consistent flow and the occasional twist.

The recurring yet evolving patterns lead to a buildup (or sometimes -
pseudo-buildup) with a constant perception of something that's about to explode
("Continuum" for example, just begs for the latter day King Crimson
to pick it up). This, however, never happens, and the unfortunate thing about
this irony is that the tension is rarely as magnificent as the comparable zen-funk of Nik Bärtsch's
RONIN; nor it is as deeply absorbing as ambient or post rock music are at their
best (it does get close, though, on "Vertical Time"). Here, the
minimalism often feels like an excuse.

While we are highly appreciative of the its tonal
beauty as well as the disciplined performance, Static Motion simply did
not stir us. (6/10)